5 WWE Stars Who Won't Be Appearing At SmackDown 1000

WWE SmackDown Live celebrates its 1000th episode on Tuesday night and to mark the occasion the company has invited a number of stars from SmackDown's past back to celebrate the anniversary.

The likes of Ric Flair, Triple H, and Batista will be joining Randy Orton on the Blue Brand as Evolution reunites for the first time in more than a decade and the first time ever on SmackDown Live.

The Undertaker will be present on the same show as Triple H as the duo continue to build up to their match which also includes Shawn Michaels and Kane at Crown Jewel and one name that many of the WWE Universe is excited about is Rey Mysterio, who will be returning to take on United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura in a WWE World Cup qualifying match ahead of the tournament in Saudi Arabia on November 2nd.

SmackDown 1000 is just four days away and even though a number of names have already been announced for the show, there are many others who should be there but won't be.

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#5 Christian

Christian won't be in attendance in Washington

Even though it's not confirmed, WWE Hall of Famer Edge is expected to be in attendance for the anniversary show, but his partner in crime won't be. Christian has been retired from WWE for a number of years now but has still been able to make his return alongside Edge when needed for special occasions.

It was reported earlier today that Christian wasn't a name that was scheduled to be part of the show even though the former World Champion spent much of his career on the SmackDown brand and deserves to be part of the show alongside the likes of Edge, Matt, and Jeff Hardy and The Dudley Boyz.

#4 Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho was once a huge star on SmackDown

Chris Jericho has become a legend in his own right over the past few decades, but he opted to leave WWE last year and has since appeared at All In before he made his recent return to New Japan Pro Wrestling. Whilst Jericho asked Vince McMahon's permission before he made the move over to Japan, he isn't someone who is expected to make an appearance on Tuesday night.

Jericho spent much of his career on SmackDown and one of his last appearances for WWE came on the SmackDown brand when he appeared in the summer of 2017 to take part in a triple threat match for the United States Championship alongside Kevin Owens and AJ Styles. Jericho has since appeared in a backstage segment at Raw 25 and as an entrant in The Greatest Royal Rumble back in April.

No! https://t.co/VEKIidKOrb

— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) October 10, 2018

#3 Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar started out on SmackDown

The Beast Incarnate hasn't been seen since he attacked both Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns at Hell in a Cell and it was then declared that he would face both men in a triple threat match at Crown Jewel for the Universal Championship.

Lesnar costs WWE a lot of money every time he makes an appearance, which is why Paul Heyman is used in place of The Beast on Monday Night Raw most of the time, so it's highly unlikely that WWE would spend that much money on Lesnar just so that he can make an appearance in a small segment.

Lesnar, like many stars on this list, spent a lot of his career on SmackDown Live and the company has teased that he could be part of the show, but he could have priced himself out of the appearance since WWE has many other talents to bring in who are a fraction of the price.

#2 Jim Ross

Jim Ross has the most recognizable voice in professional wrestling

Jim Ross has one of the most recognizable voices in professional wrestling, which is why WWE put in the call to bring back Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler as part of Raw 25 back in January, but it appears that the company is not pulling out all of the stops for SmackDown 1000.

Ross confirmed last week that he hasn't been approached by WWE when it comes to calling any of the action on Tuesday night, which is a shame since many fans were hoping to have one of the core collection of commentators make a return. Even though Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler haven't been asked to reunite their dream commentary team are the likes of JBL and Tazz who could be part of the show in Ross's absence which would definitely add a different kind of buzz to the show.

#1 The Rock

SmackDown was originally named after The Rock

The Rock has been used on much of the promotional material ahead of SmackDown's 1000th episode next week, but whilst the rumors have been circulating regarding his future and a match at WrestleMania 35 with Roman Reigns, The Rock himself is yet to respond to this.

SmackDown was named after The Great One and he should definitely be a name on the list when it comes to stars who should make a return as part of the anniversary show, but if The Rock was unable to return to partner Ronda Rousey on the grandest stage of them all back in April, why would he find time in his busy calendar for a SmackDown show?

If The Rock is set to return at The Royal Rumble then a return here would be a huge hint in regards to his future, but since Brock Lesnar has been used on promotional material and he isn't expected to be part of the show either, this could just be WWE hyping the show in order to get ratings.